Allenburg Bog

I was in Allenburg Bog today with Dragonfly Eye who was searching for a bog Dragonfly species that has never been observed in this bog before! Obviously we didn’t locate the “Boghaunter” but we did manage to find a few Darner species and a few damselfly species.

Goldthread along the trail

Jeremy stopped for his yearly Goldthread picture and I also couldn’t resist taking a photo or two of this tiny flower! I found that the most abundant singing birds in the forest was the Northern Waterthrush, Ovenbird and Scarlet Tanager. We were also lucky enough to find an Eastern Wood Pewee (CHECK – my first of the year), Great Crested Flycatcher and Red-shouldered Hawk that were also in the area.

Along the forest while walking to the bog

We quickly reached the bogs edge and as quickly as we stepped onto the floating moss vegetation we started to hear some high squealing from one of the shrubs. Jeremy said . . . “it’s a snake with something”!!

Common Garter with something

We moved closer for a photo and I think the snake thought we were going to take its lunch!! I don’t think he realized that a woodfrog wasn’t really anything that I was interested in eating! We both kinda captured a picture but I had hoped for something better!!

Hmm the Common Garter Snake caught a Wood Frog

The excitement of the Garter Snake quickly ended once it disappeared and we found ourselves adventuring further out onto the floating vegetation.

The main bog

I think my favorite flowers that Jeremy had introduced me to was the Round-leaved Sundew!! This flower is a very fragrant plant and when the insect approaches closer it gets this dew like sticky fluid to entrap the bug. Yes it might be tiny insectivore plant here but I still think it was pretty cool to find!!

Round-leaved Sundew

The most abundant insectivores plant we found was the Pitcher Plant. We were able to locate a few plants that actually had some insects being digested in it. Jeremy even located one with a mosquito larva developing in the fluid. I know there is something special about these mosquitos but it’s been a few years since I had been out to the bog with Dr. Eaton. I kind of remember him saying something about this mosquito not biting humans (we also found those mosquitos who would bite at the bog).

Pitcher Plant

I had kept my eyes open for the Bog Copper but it was a little too early for them to start emerging. Jeremy was photographing a cool moth while I was focusing this Azure. We had a wonderful time catching up since your last visit and enjoyed exploring this amazing bog.

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21 responses

Wow! I can’t believe I’m the first to comment. Ah, yes, the advantages of living on the West Coast. ;o) Great photos as always, Monarch. I’m especially impressed with the round-leaved sundew. It reminds me of a house plant I used to have called a venus fly trap. And the pitcher plant – I’ve never seen a red one. That is really cool. Thanks for sharing.

What a magical place you visited. I have only been to one bog. That was up in Maine. There was a boardwalk through it so you didn’t walk on the actual bog. I did see the plants you have here but to be able to walk upon the bog would be a different feeling I am sure. Bog plants are so interesting. I guess I am facinated with them because they aren’t common. Your photos are fantastic. Although the snake was having a boring meal, bolongna?, your photo is of something that most people don’t see and much appreciated.

@ Mary – congrats and was a long day . . I had hoped to get this posted earlier!
@ Linda – They are very cool for sure! Thanks
@ Beth –thanks and the frog/snake was interesting!
@ Pam – thanks and they are the coolest!
@ Marg – thanks and I think the Sundew was my fave!
@Lisa – thanks and this site has 2 bogs on it! Walking on the actual blog is exciting and we try to follow paths that are made by deer and other visitors!
@ toni – yes and Dr. Eaton stated that the water underneath is about 80 feet deep!
@ Rondi – thanks and it is important to be respectful when out there but it is also a location that not many visit (reason it doesn’t get too abused)
@ Jayne –Thanks and was a very fun adventure!

Nice to see that there are still some bogs around that have pitcher plants and sundews. I can remember walking on a quaking bog that formed a thick mat over water– it was like walking on a waterbed. It was always a treat to find Wyomyia smithi ,the mosquito that only lives in pitcher plants in this neck of the woods — other species,in the tropics, live in bromeliads . Fascinating to consider why these particular insectivorous plants ,especially pitcher plants, are only found in bogs and not other wetlands.

Tom, I’m glad that we were able to meet up! This truly is one of western NY’s most special places. Your pictures turned out great; especially the snake & frog. I’ll have some of my own pictures up soon, I hope.

@ Cestoady – thanks and this is a wonderful place for sure! I think it is amazing finding these things!
@ Scienceguy – thanks but bogs are formed in result of glaciers.
@ Jeremy – I am glad you talked me into the bog also and for sure very special. Thanks and I can’t wait to see how you shots turned out!

What a great place the bog is. It is a short drive from Jamestown but a little tough to find at first. The plants are awesome to see first hand. The bog is so fun to walk on. We had a great day. Go… it is worth it.

Welcome!

Welcome to the mon@rch nature blog and I hope you join us in some of our nature adventures through the Allegany State Park area!

I am a naturalist, field biologist and nature photographer from the Western New York area. I have started exploring nature writing through this blog and it truly has been fun sharing my numerous adventures with everyone. Thanks to the many other authors that help me with my post and they will be sharing some of their nature explorations.

I have always had a latent interest in birds and photography and have been lucky enough to find time to explore these interests over the last few years. I am very thankful to the Cattaraugus County Bird Club for getting me started, sharing their wealth of knowledge and for their wonderful programs. And many thanks to Tom for letting me share some of my adventures and photos on the Monarch Nature Blog.